Top sirloin is a cut of meat from the primal loin, subprimal sirloin, of a beef carcass. Top sirloin steaks differ from sirloin steaks in that the bone and the tenderloin and bottom round muscles have been removed; the remaining major muscles are the gluteus medius and biceps femoris (top sirloin cap steak). Some American butchers call a thick top sirloin steak a chateaubriand, although the French reserve that term for a more premium cut from the tenderloin.

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The word comes from the Middle Englishsurloine, which itself was derived from the Old French word surlonge, meaning sur la longe or above the loin.[1] In Modern French, the term evolved to become aloyau or faux-filet.[2]

An often quoted false etymology suggests that sirloin comes from the knighting by an English king (various kings are cited) of a piece of meat.[3] However, the English cut of Sirloin includes the large portion of beef which includes the short loin, top sirloin and bottom sirloin.

Alternatively, a top sirloin may be cut into slices thick enough to stand on their edge on the grill. In this case, the slices, typically seasoned only with coarse sea salt, are usually grilled with the thick layer of fat down until most of it melts away and the remaining fat becomes crispy. Each of the sides is then grilled for about ten seconds. The slices are then cut down the middle, each thus producing two slices only half as thick. The uncooked side of the new slices should then be grilled for a short time and are ready to be served.